Advice

[navygirl]

I’m currently serving my 5th year in the navy. I’m stationed at an F-18 squadron and have become interested in flying. I know of the WOFT program and have been studying for the AFAST. I’ve talked to local recruiters and they have been no help. This is my situation: I was not financially responsible in the past. I’ve been working hard to fix my mistake and it’s become overwhelming, at this point Im considering filing for Bankruptcy. How would this affect my chances for acceptance to the program? Thank you in advance.

 

[Astra Guy]

Hey Navygirl,

As a graduate of the WOFT program many moons ago I can tell you that it was the best decision of my flying career.

I am out of the loop of current acceptance standards but I will say this: Along with your application you should consider sending a letter explaining your past situation and what you are honestly doing to repair that. Honest expressions of your intent can go along way in repairing what you see as a shortcoming.

Doing well on the test can go along way in your quest.

Good luck with your budding flying career!

Fly Safe!

 

[Apache54]

NO to bankruptcy

NavyLady,

Patmack is dead on right. Understand that to be accepted into the WOFT program or an air force flying program (and I believe any other officer postition within our armed forces) you will need a Secret clearance at a minimum. I know for certain army units (TF 160) and almost certain that fighter/bomber aircraft in the AF require a Top Secret (TS-SCI) clearance. I have a brother who works for Customs who had his clearance (TS) investigation a year ago and was pretty much told the 2 main items the investigating agency looks for is financial problems and items of a personal nature (divorces, drug use, sexual orientation, etc...) or anything that can compromise you into doing something bad. Seek help from everywhere that you or anyone else can imagine. Like Patmack said, try your command, chaplain, service relief organization, etc... to get help. A bankruptcy on anyone's credit will hurt for years.

Best of luck.

 

[smoker]

Try all your options before you give up.

Your financial situation will play a big role. Even if you kept up with all the bills and other crap everyone runs into in life, they look at your debt ratios, credit scores etc. You don't want to fit the profile of someone who is financially strained. I would definitely tap the resources on base. Walk over to your security office and chat with the person in charge of getting these packets together. Tell them where you are - they've seen all kinds of prblems and should be able to suggest a decent strategy for going through. At least mine did.

As bad as it sounds, if you can't get a clearance, nobody will send you to school. You could get into UPT on a security waiver, but unless the real clearance follows, that's where your flying will end.

 

[Maj]

I assume that you're talking about the Army WOFT program. As far as I know, the Navy (or AF) does not offer similar programs. If you want to stay USN, you'll need a 4-year degree prior to commisioning and subsequent flight training. There are several commissioning programs (SM-ADM, etc) that can help with the costs of completing a degree.
I remember not getting much help from the Army recruiters 15 years ago (prior to starting college) when inquiring about the WOFT program. Hopefully they've improved. Good luck, and don't declare bankruptcy!

 

[LJDRVR]

Don't file Chapter 11!

Like Patmack says, there are on-base agencies that can provide counseling and assistance, as long as you're up-front and are prepared to do whatever is necesary. If you have a supervisor or senior enlisted person in your unit whom you can trust, PLEASE..go to that person and ask for their assistance. Depending on his or her personality, your commander may be able to help also, but start with your supervisor. As an ex-zoomie I'm not familiar with the Navy mechanisms, but I imagine they are similiar to the AF in that although financial responsibility is mandated by regs, if you seek assistance first, there will be no disciplinary consequences. Talk to your supervisor. Good luck with the WOFT program.

 

[smellthejeta]

DON'T DO IT!

As everybody else has said, filing for BK is a BAD idea. Do everything you can to avoid it. One other poster is correct, though. Just because you pay every bill on time doesn't mean your credit is rosy. Debt to income ratio as well as revolving credit vs. total credit line are other factors that influence your FICO score.

My financial picture has not been rosy. In a short period of time, I have had three accounts go "past due," two of those went to collection and one of the two was partially charged off. They were all settled six months ago. I am trying to use my car loan and one of my student loans to re-establish satisfactory credit history.

During the clearance process for ANY sensitive job, one of the first questions you will be asked is if you have filed for BK within the last seven years. You may also be asked if you have been delinquent on any account for more than 180 days within the last xx years, and even if you have been 90 days delinquent in the last xx months, but these questions are not asked as frequently.

 

[weekendwarrior]

Work through yo ur credit problems someway, but not Bankruptcy. You CAN go to flight school in the Army with credit probs. I have a $5000 negative judgement on my credit report. I had explained everything on my SF-86, and since it was gone and passed and I was making ammends, I got my clearance. Cancel all your credit cards, get debt consolodation help, take out a mortgage or something to get your debt paid off, or at least starting to pay off. The security clearance paperwork will allow you to explain everything in detail. I had things like "was short on money in college" and things like that for responses to negative debt.

Don't get me wrong, credit problems can keep you from getting a clearance, but depending on the person, the situation, how much debt, etc, etc, you CAN get it passed.

 

[spanky2]

Piling on over here.... DO NOT DECLARE Bankruptcy. Might look like the easy was out now .... but will close many doors in the future and could very likely end any chance of a flying job. Being suceptable to financial "blackmail" is a kiss of death for security clearances. As the posts abave have said, there are many, many ways to get help.

Good Luck.